from the Electrolysis Society of Florida
http://www.hairremovalflorida.com/qa.htm
"How safe is it to treat genitals?
Genitals can be treated with either method. It is wise to limit the
amount of electrolysis because of the risk of invasion of pathogenic
bacteria. Laser has proven to be fast and easy for even the most
sensitive genital areas in both men and women."
From the FDA
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/laserfacts.html#1
"Manufacturers should be aware that receiving an FDA clearance for
general permission to market their devices does not permit them to
advertise the lasers for either hair removal or wrinkle treatment,
even though hair removal or wrinkle treatment may be a by-product of
any cleared laser procedure. Further, manufacturers may not claim that
laser hair removal is either painless or permanent unless the FDA
determines that there are sufficient data to demonstrate such results.
Several manufacturers received FDA permission to claim, "permanent
reduction," NOT "permanent removal" for their lasers. This means that
although laser treatments with these devices will permanently reduce
the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent
removal of all hair. The specific claim granted is "intended to effect
stable, long-term, or permanent reduction" through selective targeting
of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as
the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing
after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions. The
number of hairs regrowing must be stable over time greater than the
duration of the complete growth cycle of hair follicles, which varies
from four to twelve months according to body location. Permanent hair
reduction does not necessarily imply the elimination of all hairs in
the treatment area.
FDA does not make comparisons between systems or how well or safely
they work compared to another company's system. FDA does not recommend
one laser system over another.
Lasers cleared for body hair removal are also cleared for facial hair removal."
Laser treatment only works on dark pigmented hairs, not blond, red or white.
FDA accredited devices can be checked on the FDA Center for Devices
and Radiological Health 510(k) database at
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMN/pmn.cfm
from a European practitioner's website
http://www.abimelec.com/dermatologist/laser_hair_removal.html
"Can anybody resort to laser hair removal ?
Some types of skins require specific precautions or use of a specific
laser (dark or black skin). Current hair removal lasers cannot remove
light or white hair.
What are the precautions to be taken before a laser hair removal ?
It is imperative to stay away from the sun in the weeks preceding a
hair laser removal session, since tan is a contra-indication for the
treatment. People under medication must warn their doctor since some
drugs can lead to reaction to light and require postponement of the
laser treatment.
The area to be treated must be shaved three days before the laser hair
removal session.
What precautions should be taken following a laser hair removal session ?
You will be advised to use a hydrating and anti-redness cream during
the hours following the treatment. Exposure to sun is a
contra-indication, a solar shield must be used in case of sunny
weather.
What are the possible disadvantages of laser hair removal ?
Laser hair removal is a safe treatment but, as a rule, some temporary
side effects are possible, including darker or lighter marks,
especially in dark skin and tanned skins. There is no risk of burn if
the device is correctly tuned to the skin colour.
Is laser hair removal unpleasant ?
The treatment involves a series of impulses leading to a feeling of
prickling and slight burn. One can compare the feeling of the
treatment with that which One feels if one takes a series of blows
with a rubber band. The majority of the patients will tolerate it
without the need for anaesthesia. The patients who want it can benefit
from a cream- based topical anaesthesia. In the few minutes following
the treatment, the skin of the treated area turns slightly pink, and
you might feel a little sunburned for a couple of days.
How long does a laser hair removal session last ?
Each impulse of the laser of hair removal treats a surface of
approximately twosquare centimetres with ten hairs. The duration of
each laser session will depend on the surface of the area to be
treated. Hair removal on small areas like the lip or the chin takes a
few minutes, whereas the treatment of a wide area like a leg or a
thigh requires between twenty to fifty minutes.
How many sessions of laser hair removal will I need ?
The number of sessions necessarily depends on various parameters, the
most important of which being the localization of the area to be
treated and gender. In addition, resting follicles are not damaged by
the laser. In general, it is necessary to foresee between three to six
sessions, but it also depends on initial pilosity and the degree of
hair removal required. Certain areas (back and face in men, for
example) may require a prolonged treatment whose exact duration cannot
bc predicted in advance." |
